Here’s How: Add color to the surface of your concrete patio

Dear James: I had painted a concrete patio before, but it peeled off over time. I want to decorate my new patio by my garden. How can I add a pale pink tint to the concrete surface? -- Cindy R.

Dear Cindy: A pale pink tint on the concrete should create attractive contrast with the green from the new landscaping. You are wise to choose just a light tint instead of a deep, rich color. A deep color might sound nice, but an entire patio area of it may become a bit overwhelming.

Painting is definitely not a good idea for a concrete patio unless you want to redo it every several years. When it starts to peel in spots, it will look much worse than the plain gray concrete looks now. Some painted concrete can become slippery when it is wet, so it can be hazardous when children run on it with muddy shoes.

Using a concrete stain is a much better method to color a concrete patio. Stain actually penetrates the surface of the concrete instead of just coating the surface as paint does. There are many tinting colors available. Greens and browns are also commonly used to accent or blend with landscaping.

Since the stain penetrates the surface and does not create a skin over it like paint, moisture from the ground beneath the concrete will pass through it without making it peel. Good concrete stain should last for about five years. With your light tint, it will not be apparent as it slowly fades or wears off over time.

If you are a handy do-it-yourselfer, consider using a acid-based concrete stain. This is the type professionals generally use. The acid causes a chemical reaction with the concrete and the tint actually creates a strong permanent chemical bond with the top layer of concrete.

A solvent stain, somewhat similar to wood stain, is another option. The solvent soaks into the pores of the concrete carrying the tint pigment along with it. Depending on the texture of the concrete surface, the amount of solvent stain used will vary significantly.

A water-based acrylic concrete stain is probably the easiest to apply for the inexperienced do-it-yourselfer. The acrylic compound soaks into the concrete and adheres well. This type of stain can produce some very deep colors. Check the packaging to be sure you are actually purchasing stain and not an acrylic latex paint.

If you have trouble finding the type of stain you desire, contact these companies: Bomanite, Increte, Rustoleum and L.M. Scofield. The Portland Cement Association has a publication on staining concrete called “Finishing Concrete Slabs with Color and Texture”.

You no doubt have done some barbecue grilling on your patio, so there is likely some grease and oil on the concrete. It is extremely important to clean this off along with other ordinary dirt. A scrub brush and detergent is effective, but a pressure washer makes the job much quicker. Let it dry thoroughly after it is cleaned.

The manufacturers of the stain include detailing application instructions with their products, so follow them closely. If you choose the acid-based stain, where protective clothing and eye protection. When using the water-based stain, check the weather forecast for several dry days.

— Send your questions to Here’s How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. To find out more about James Dulley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.